Page 253 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

KING

As of a man faithful and honourable. [130]

POLONIUS
I would fain prove so. But what might you think,
When I had seen this hot love on the wing −
As I perceiv’d it, I must tell you that,

Before my daughter told me − what might you
Or my dear Majesty your queen here think, [135]
If I had play’d the desk or table-book,
Or given my heart a winking mute and dumb,

Or look’d upon this love with idle sight −
What might you think? No, I went round to work,
And my young mistress thus I did bespeak: [140]
‘Lord Hamlet is a prince out of thy star.

This must not be.’ And then I prescripts gave her,
That she should lock herself from his resort,
Admit no messengers, receive no tokens;
Which done, she took the fruits of my advice, [145]

And he, repelled − a short tale to make −
Fell into a sadness, then into a fast,
Thence to a watch, thence into a weakness,
Thence to a lightness, and, by this declension,

Into the madness wherein now he raves [150]
And all we mourn for.

KING
Do you think ’tis this?

QUEEN
It may be; very like.

POLONIUS
Hath there been such a time − I would fain know that −
That I have positively said ‘’Tis so’,

When it prov’d otherwise?

KING